generic levaquin

What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?
• Take all of the Levaquin that has been prescribed for you even if youbegin to feel better generic levaquin. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infectionis completely treated generic levaquin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces) generic levaquin. Drink several extraglasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of Levaquin crystals in theurine generic levaquin.
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin generic levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic generic levaquin.

What is Levaquin?
• Levaquin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones generic levaquin. It fights bacteria in the body generic levaquin.
• Levaquin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections generic levaquin.
• Levaquin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide generic levaquin.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Levaquin?
• Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have a seizure disorder;
· have a heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval;
· have a slow heart rate that is considered a medical condition;
· have low levels of potassium in your blood; or
· are being treated for heart rhythm disturbances (irregular heartbeats)with drugs such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide(Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol(Betapace), and others generic levaquin.
• You may not be able to take Levaquin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove generic levaquin.
• Levaquin is in the FDA pregnancy category C generic levaquin. This means that it is notknown whether Levaquin will be harmful to an unborn baby generic levaquin. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment generic levaquin.
• It is not known whether Levaquin passes into breast milk generic levaquin. Similar drugsare known to affect bone development generic levaquin. Do not take Levaquin without first talkingto your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby generic levaquin.
• Levaquin is not approved for use by children under 18 years of age generic levaquin. Itmay interfere with bone development generic levaquin.

How should I take Levaquin?
• Take Levaquin exactly as directed by your doctor generic levaquin. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou generic levaquin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces) generic levaquin. Drink several extraglasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of Levaquin crystals in theurine generic levaquin.
• Levaquin may be taken with or without food generic levaquin.
• Take Levaquin at evenly spaced intervals generic levaquin.
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin generic levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic generic levaquin.
• Take all of the Levaquin that has been prescribed for you even if youbegin to feel better generic levaquin. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infectionis completely treated generic levaquin.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat generic levaquin.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember generic levaquin. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose generic levaquin. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor generic levaquin.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention generic levaquin.
• The most common symptom of a Levaquin overdose is seizures generic levaquin.

What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight generic levaquin. Levaquin may increase the sensitivityof the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result generic levaquin. If sun exposure isunavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen generic levaquin. Call your doctor if youexperience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposureto the sun generic levaquin.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities generic levaquin. Levaquin may cause dizziness generic levaquin. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities generic levaquin.

What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingLevaquin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· seizures;
· confusion or hallucinations;
· irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or fainting;
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal painor discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or
· muscle or joint pain generic levaquin.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking Levaquin and talk to your doctor:
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· headache or lightheadedness;
· drowsiness;
· insomnia;
· ringing in the ears; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight generic levaquin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur generic levaquin. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome generic levaquin.

What other drugs will affect Levaquin?
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin generic levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic generic levaquin.
• Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing drugs:
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol),glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others; or
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (OrudisKT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others generic levaquin.
• You may not be able to take Levaquin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above generic levaquin.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Levaquin generic levaquin. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products generic levaquin.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Levaquin written forhealth professionals that you may read generic levaquin.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.